Sara Mansfield Taber



“Sara Taber is an extraordinarily gifted editor. A sensitive reader of human nature, and deeply versed in matters of craft, she sees straight to the heart of a piece of writing and knows just what needs to be done to help a work achieve its promise.”


“Sara has given my work the most thorough, detailed, and sensitive reading I’ve received anywhere. Her suggestions are always incisive and productive.”

Editing

Many writers find it useful to have a dedicated editor or writing coach as they grapple with their writing and strive to finish a piece of work. Sara Taber helps aspiring writers make their writing what they want it to be, and helps them get the writing done that they want to get done.

She provides a range of services, including editing, book-shaping, book proposal design, and consultation in finding the key emotional story. She also provides structure, assignments, and coaching to help writers complete their writing projects.

For those who prefer to work on their writing on a one-to-one basis, rather than via a writing class, she offers one-on-one coaching and MFA-level consultation.

I tailor my work to each writer’s needs and stage in the writing process, serving as editor, consultant,
advisor, coach, mentor, private tutor, or literary midwife as needed.



Basic Editing


Editorial help with voice; form; structure; use of concrete detail; language; mix of scene, summary & musing; inclusion of exposition, historical material, and sense of time & place; and other matters of craft

Book Shaping


Advice to help writers realize their vision, focus, and shape their work

Book Proposal Design


Consultation to help writers put together book proposals that show off their writing and effectively communicate a book’s focus and
audience

Finding the Emotional Story


Guidance to help writers clarify and illuminate the emotional story at the heart of their work

Structure, Assignments, & Coaching


Consultation to help writers structure their time, create a schedule and plan for their writing, and, through one-time or regular appointments, provide readings and discussion of their work, to help them keep moving and get their writing done


Selected Works

Essay
"Longing for America: Notes from a Traveling Childhood"
"An eloquent essay." -New York Times
Literary Journalism
BREAD OF THREE RIVERS: THE STORY OF A FRENCH LOAF
"...One of the most compelling, knowledgeable, and graceful books about the French soul that has ever been written by an American." -Richard Goodman, author of French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France
DUSK ON THE CAMPO: A JOURNEY IN PATAGONIA
"The stories remain...etched in the reader's mind, etched as if by the harsh wind of Patagonia itself. Extraordinarily fine writing." -St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Memoir
"Rainlight"
"A poignant chronicle of the diaspora of the heart--and the heart's quest and longing for that universal place called home." Wall Street Journal



Find Authors

Created by The Authors Guild

A note for users of older versions of Internet Explorer, Netscape, or AOL:
This site will look a lot better in a newer browser. Download one for free!
Internet Explorer: Windows Mac   |   Netscape: Windows Mac Other
For AOL users, please choose Internet Explorer above.